Getting to Stirling

The University of Stirling’s campus is just two miles from the centre of Stirling in central Scotland. We're served by excellent fast public transport links from Glasgow and Edinburgh. We're easily accessible by bus, foot and bike from Stirling's centre.

We’re currently carrying out renovations on campus as part of a major transformation project. Below you can see a summary of some of the key works carried out so far, and information about upcoming plans that may impact on access.

New University bus hub opened at rear of Logie Lecture Theatre. Buses no longer call at Queen’s Court, leaving two arrival and departure points on campus: a bus stop at the main entrance to campus – providing access to the Pathfoot Building – and at the bus hub.

Access to Queen’s Court and the West Link Road has been removed for all vehicles. A limited number of blue badge parking will remain outside the Macrobert Arts Centre until the end of the year. Disabled drop-off access to the Macrobert Arts Centre and Atrium will also remain until the end of the year. However, access to the drop-off location (immediately outside the Atrium) is now via the East Link Road, and not from the current West Link Road.

The one-way system around the swimming pool building has been closed. The remaining car parking spaces can be accessed via a turning point and layby situated at the existing road entrance.

Property Management is undertaking essential maintenance work in the Queen's Court area, to replace a section of pipework. This work will result in the east approach road to Queen's Court being closed completely, until Wednesday 19 December. Restricted vehicular access will be provided to Queen's Court, via the West Approach Road, from the old mini-roundabout during these dates.

Getting to campus

Our campus is a pleasant walk from both Stirling city centre and from Bridge of Allan.

Stirling Rail Station to University of Stirling (Approx 40 minutes walk)

On exiting Stirling Rail station turn right and follow Goosecroft Road until its junction with Wallace Street.

Turn right into Wallace Street (you will pass a large Tesco Store on your right).

At end of Wallace Street follow the underpass footpath and then cross the historic Old Stirling Bridge over the River Forth. Carry straight on until you reach the pelican crossing at the junction of Cornton Road/Causewayhead Road.

Cross over at the crossing and then proceed straight along Causewayhead Road (A9), passing under the railway bridge and, on the right, the entrance to Stirling County Rugby Club.

Continue straight on up Causewayhead Road until reaching the Causewayhead roundabout.

Turn left at the Causeway head roundabout and follow the path along until reaching the pelican crossing at Wallace High School where you should cross to the pavement on the opposite side of the road.

Continue on the A9. Thereafter you can opt to either access the University via:

the entrance to the Scottish Institute of Sport (quite a steep climb, with the University's sports facilities on your left) which takes you out opposite the main Cottrell Building car park

the University's main entrance (accessed by continuing past the turn off for the Scottish Institute of Sport). At the main entrance you should cross over the road to access the footpath which runs from the main entrance to the campus itself.

Bridge of Allan Rail Station to University of Stirling (Approx 30 minutes walk)

From the train station make your way up to the A9 main road (road bridge crosses over the railway line).

Once on the main road, turn right and make your way into the town of Bridge of Allan.

Cross the road at the pelican crossing, located at the Allanwater Café, and then continue to make your way through the town. Follow this route all the way through the town and out the other side.

The main entrance to the University of Stirling is located approximately one mile after leaving Bridge of Allan

Nextbike

Nextbike is a bike share scheme with locations throughout Stirling. We fund a corporate subscription with Nextbike which allows all staff and students free use of the scheme and free rental of a bike for the first 1 hour of every ride. A small charge (50p/ ½ hour) will apply for bike rentals longer than one hour.

After initial registration, staff and students can swipe their staff or student identity card at any of the Stirling or University campus hubs to rent a bike. The campus hubs are at Alexander Court, Pathfoot, Willow Court and Cottrell (Mail Room Entrance).

You can also hire bikes at any of the other Nextbike locations throughout the UK, the closest of which is in Glasgow.

Register online and find out where you can hire a bike from Nextbike locations within Stirling and elsewhere around the Scotland and the UK.

University of Stirling staff

University staff can save money and spread the costs through Cyclescheme.

By bus

The University of Stirling has excellent bus links from Stirling city centre, and some from Bridge of Allan. The Unilink shuttle bus between Stirling centre, the train station and the main University campus is the one of the handiest and most regular services. Most bus services to the campus run from either just outside Stirling's Rail Station or a two minute walk away, in Murray Place.

Regular travellers to and from the University can also enjoy substantially discounted fares on buses by purchasing a weekly FirstWeek ticket. FirstWeek ticket holders can enjoy unlimited travel within their designated travel zone over a period of seven days.

Night bus

A night bus service serves the campus on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Find out more about times on the First Group website.

First Bus App

Using the First Bus app, you can obtain timetable and Real Time information, service updates and news about First Bus services sent straight to your phone.

mTickets App

The mTickets App enables you to purchase bus tickets using your phone. Once registered for mTicketing, simply buy your ticket, activate it for the day or week required, show your ticket to the bus driver and away you go!

Travelling between train stations and the campus

Our Stirling campus is a 40 minute walk from Stirling city centre /train station and 30 mins from Bridge of Allan rail station.

Stirling train station is the easiest option to complete the journey by bus or taxi.

Bridge of Allan train station is the easiest option to complete the journey by walking or cycling.

Cycling from the rail stations

Staff, students and visitors commuting to campus by train should note that, on most Scotrail services, bikes will be transported free of charge. See the 'Cycling' section for route suggestions. Find out More Scotrail information about transporting your bike on the train.

By bus from Stirling station

Unilink ‘shuttle’ service: Stirling City – University of Stirling – Stirling City

We encourage everyone coming to the University to use the excellent public transport links to and from Stirling or Bridge of Allan.

Please note that at certain times demand for our car parking spaces may exceed supply.

Parking for visitors

Pay and Display machines are in operation within all campus car parks and operates Monday–Friday, 9am-5pm all year excluding Christmas and New Year's Day.

Blue Badge holders are not required to Pay and Display.

Pay and Display rates

Up to 1 hour – £1.00

1-3 hours - £2.00

3-5 hours - £3.00

5+ hours - £5.00

Vehicles that do not have a ‘Pay and Display' ticket displayed and/or are otherwise in breach of the campus traffic regulations (e.g. parking on double yellow lines or in disabled bays, etc.), will be issued with a Private Parking Notice (PPN) requiring a payment of £60 to the University. This will be reduced to £30, if paid within 14 days of the date of the notice. Failure to pay a PPN within 28 days will result in the vehicle being denied access to the campus at the main control barriers.

Queries regarding any aspect of car parking on campus can be directed to the Car Parking Office, Cottrell Room 4Z2, +44 (0) 1786 466065. You can also find more information on our frequently asked questions page.

Car sharing

The University Liftshare Scheme is a dedicated car sharing platform which helps you to find someone to share your commute and save on travelling costs. You can register your journey requirements on the Liftshare website to see who else could travel to University with you.

Visitors to campus can find potential car sharing partners by logging on to tactran liftshare.

Designated car-share spaces for those staff/student drivers carrying two or more people are located near main building entrances. There are 20 such spaces within the following car parks:

Cottrell Main ('Y' Entrance)

Logie

RG Bomont

Pathfoot (Front Entrance)

Pathfoot (Rear Entrance)

These spaces will remain reserved for car sharers up until 10.30am daily, Monday-Friday or as may be varied from time to time and advertised accordingly.

Visitors to campus are encouraged to do their bit for the environment, ease congestion and save fuel costs by car sharing.

City Car Club

In partnership with the University, E-Car Club now operate a fleet of two City Car Club cars at the University - both hybrid electric - for use by staff, students, local residents and businesses. The vehicles are located adjacent to the existing electric vechicle spaces, within the Cottrell main and Pathfoot rear car parks.

If you're a staff member or student you can hire a vehicle for £5.50 per hour, or for the day (24 hours) at £35.00. There's also a charge for any petrol used at £0.125 per mile. The University has secured an arrangement with E-Car Club to waive the membership costs to join the scheme for University staff.

How do I join City Car Club as a student or member of staff?

Directions for driving to our campus

Visitors to the University who choose to bring their car should note the following directions:

From the East, South or West take the M9 to Junction 11. At the junction, there is a roundabout which marks the end of the M9. From here you should take the exit for Bridge of Allan, follow the road through the town itself, and after about 200 metres you will find the University entrance on the left.

From the North take the A9 to the same roundabout and follow the same route through Bridge of Allan as above.

Park in a designated parking space. Possession of a valid permit does not guarantee a parking space.

Electric vehicles

There are two electric vehicle charging stations located within Cottrell Main Car Park and at the rear of the Pathfoot Building. There are four designated spaces allowing up to four electric cars to recharge simultaneously.

Electricity is provided free-of-charge. However, users are still required to display a valid parking permit or Pay and Display ticket. A maximum charging time of 4 hours applies following which time users are requested to move their vehicles to an alternative designated parking space to allow others to use the facilities.

Park and ride

There are two park and ride routes in Stirling, situated at Castleview and Springkerse, with buses every 12 minutes to and from Stirling city centre. From Stirling city centre, you can access First Bus routes UL, 54, 54A, 58, 62 and 63, all of which come on to the Stirling campus.

Parking for staff and students

Staff and students wishing to park on campus should note that they must:

purchase and display a valid car parking permit, for which a fee is levied and/or purchase, and display, a ‘Pay and Display' parking ticket.

park in a designated parking space. Possession of a valid permit does not guarantee a parking space.

What parking permit options are available?

Standard/Full year permit (Staff and Students)

Pay-as-you-go permit (Staff and Students)

Half-Year Permit (Students only)

Resident Student Permit

Apply for a parking permit using the University portal (you must be a current student or member of staff to be able to view this page)

Parking for first-year students resident on campus

If you are a first-year student and resident on campus, you are not permitted to bring a car onto campus.